Safety control and oil leveling valve structure



NOV. 7, 1939. w; wm s 2,179.207

SAFETY CONTROL AND OIL LEVELING VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 15, 19257 3 Sheets-Sheet l 650/?55 M Mwzwuaaz Nov- 7. 1939. G. w. WHITEHURST 2.179.207

SAFETY CONTROL AND OIL LEVELING VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 15, 19:57 a Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 7, 1939. G. w. WHITEHURST I SAFETY CONTROL AND OIL LEVELING VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 15, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 awe mm Patented Nov-7,1939 l r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY CONTROL AND OIL LEVELING VALVE STRUCTURE,

George W. Whitehurst, Portsmouth, Va. Application September 13, 1937, Serial N0.163,710

Claims. oi. 137-68) This invention relates to a combined safety of the type referred to including a combined incontrol and oil leveling valve structure for use take and shut off valve having associated therein connection with the supplying of oil to oil withafloat controlled means to cause the seating b of the valve to shut-off position by a very small 5' The invention has forits object to provide, in amount of excess oil. 5 a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure of A further object of the invention is to provide,

the type referred to including a float controlled in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure intake valve, and means operated from the conof the type referred to including an intake controlling float for the valve, when required, to trolling valve and independent float controlled cause an accurate seating of the valve when its means acting on the valve for cleaning the seat 101 seat has deposited thereon foreign matter from for the valve to cause an accurate seating of the the inflowing oil. latter when shifted to shut-off position when re The invention has for its further object to proqulred. vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a Further objects of the invention are to provide,

15. structure of the type referred to including an inin a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structu take valve and means for imparting a rotative for the purpos aforesaid w ch s co parat veaction to and a pounding action on said valve, ly simple in its construction and arrangement, when required to provide for the accurate seatstrong, durable, compact, readily assembled, ing of the latter in case foreign matter is defunctioning in a manner to prevent overflow of posited from the incoming oil on its seat, which oil, capable of being reset for oil feed controlling 20 otherwise would prevent an accurate seating. position without the necessity of dumping out oil A further object of the invention is to provide, previously supplied thereto, thoroughly efficient in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure in its use, automatic in its action, and comparaof the type referred to including an intake valve tively inexpensive to manufacture.

5 chamber having a valve controlled oil inlet above To the above ends essentially and to others its bottom, a float chamber opening into the which may hereinafter appear, the invention c0n valve chamber and formed with a permanently sists of the novel construction, combination and opened oil outlet arranged above the bottom of arrangement of parts as will be more specifically the float chamber and below said inlet. described and illustrated in the accompanying 3o A further object of the invention is to provide, drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure invention, but it is to be understood that changes, of the type referred to including a combined invariations and modifications may be resorted to take and safety valve having associated therewith which fall within the scope of the invention as a manual or automatic control for seating it. claimed. 1 A further object of the invention is to provide, In the drawings: 35 in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure Figure 1 is a top plan view of the safety conof the type referred to including a safety cut off trol and oil leveling valve structure, in accordance automatically operated to cut off position when with thisinvention and showing the adaptation the oil rises to a higher level than the level .origthereof with a boiler and a thermostat,

inally set. Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the 40 A further object of the invention is to provide, structure, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the strucof the type referred to including an intake valve ture, selectively and simultaneously controlled by a Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in top plan and V 5 pair of float operated mechanisms, one slidably horizontal section illustrating the pressure apengaging with and the other normally free of the plying element for the supply or intake valve,

n/ V Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view illustrating A further object of the invention is to provide, the mounting for the element shown in Figure 4, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure Figure 6 is a top plan view of the combined of the type referred to including a combined invalve seat forming an intake element for corre- 50 take and control valve capable of being reset lation with the intake or supply valve,

without splashing out or removal of oil from the Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure. element shown in Figure 6,

A further object of the invention is to provide, Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal in a m nner as h reinafter set forth, a structure section illustrating the pounder element for the 55 intake or supply valve stem and the actuating means for said pounder element and with said element and means shown in active position,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary View in longitudinal section of the upper portion of the structure and further showing in side elevation the pounder element and the actuating means for the latter in active position,

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the support for the actuating means for the pounder element,

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the support shown in Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the pressure applying element for the intake or supply valve,

Figure 13 is an inverted plan of the element shown in Figure 12, and

Figure 14 is a sectional detail illustrating the setting device for the pressure applying means for the intake valve.

Referring to the drawings, the structure includes a housing i formed of an annular part 2 and a rectangular part 3 integral with each other. The part 3 corresponds in height and is disposed in lateral relation with respect to the part 2. The part 3 at its inner end opens into the part 2. The housing l includes a bottom member 5 which is common to and integral with the parts 2, 3. The member 4 is formed of a circular portion 5 and a rectangular portion 6. The portion 5 in connection with the part 2 provides an open top float chamber 1. The portion 6 in connection with the part 3 provides an open top intake valve chamber 8. The member 4 axially of its portion 5 is formed with an opening 9 and a vertically disposed integral sleeve I!) having its inner face forming an upward continuation of the opening 9. The said portion 5 is also formed in proximity to part 2 with-an opening H of greater diameter than opening 9. The wall of opening I! is plain. The member 4 has its portion 6 formed with an opening [2 and an integral depending collar 53 having its inner face forming a continuation of the wall of opening l2. The wall of the latter and the inner face of collar I3 are threaded.

The part 3 includes a pair of side walls M, I5 and an outer end wall it. The latter has its top edge formed with a notch l1 centrally thereof.

There is associated with the housing a flanged cover It] of the same contour in plan as the housing l. The cover i8 is formed of a circular part 19 and a rectangular part 29. The parts I9, 29 provide respectively closures for the chambers 1, 8. The part I9 is formed with an upstanding portion 2! of dome-shape contour to provide its lower face with a segmental-shaped pocket 22 providing a clearance for a purpose to be referred to.

Integral with the lower face of portion 5 of bottom member i is a flanged support 23 for a guide rod to be referred to. The support 23 is formed axially with a socket 24 opening at the upper end thereof and aligning with opening 9. The support 23 extends down through a horizontally-disposed supporting bracket 25 for housing I. The support 23 is peripherally threaded and threadedly engaging therewith is a nut 26 for clamping it and the bracket together.

Secured to the inner face of wall l6 of chamber 8 in proximity to its upper end is an inwardly extending angle-shaped guide 21 for the stem of the supply valve stem to be referred to. The horizontal leg 28 of guide 21 has an opening 29 which is disposed in concentric alignment with the opening l2. Depending through the opening ll is a peripherally threaded tubular coupling nipple 30 having a flange 3! at its upper end seated on the upper face of the portion 5 of bottom member 4. The nipple 39 acts to couple, with the circular portion 5 of the bottom of housing I the angle-shaped branch 3| 3 of the housing 32 of an outlet valve mechanism 33 which forms no part of this invention and is conventionally shown.

Secured to the threaded wall of opening 12 and to the threads of collar [3, is a vertically disposed tubular casting H which extends above part 6 of member 4 anddepends from collar l3. The casting Tl provides a controllable intake element for chamber 8, and it is formed of upper and lower parts 18, I9 respectively. The part 18 is of greater length than part 19. The outer and inner diameters of part 18 is less than that of part 19'. The junction of the parts I8, l9 pro vides outer and inner shoulders 80, 8| respectively. The inner face of part 18 in proximity to its upper end is formed with an annular groove 82 and directly below the latter with a beveled portion 83 constituting a valve seat. The part 18 is formed with a horizontally disposed port 84 which leads from the groove 32 and opens into the lower portion of chamber 8. The part 18 on its outer periphery has threads 85 which engage with the threads on the wall of opening I2 and on the collar IS. The shoulder abuts the bottom edge of collar l3. The part 19 is internally threaded for coupling an oil supply line (not shown) thereto which is to abut the shoulder 8|. The latter is beveled. That portion of the inner face of part 18 above valve seat 83 and indicated at 86 is of greater diameter than that portion of the inner face of part 18 below seat 83.

There is associated with the intake element provided by the casting H a float controlled intake valve mechanism 81 comprising a valve stem 88 extending through the opening 29 in the guide 2'! and into the portion 36 of the inner face of part T8 of casting H and across groove 82. The lower end of stem 88 merges into the upper end of a beveled valve head 89. The stem 68 intermediate its ends has mounted thereon a ver ically adjustable setting device 90 for a pressure applying means, to be referred to for the valve head 89. The device 99 is of sleeve-like form and consists of upper and lower portions 99*, 90 and a reduced intermediate portion 9|. The portion 99 constitutes a support or an abutment for a purpose to be referred to. The device 99 is secured stationary in its adjusted position by a set screw 92 carried by the portion 90 and binding against stem 88. Fixed to the stem 88 below and in proximity to the leg 28 of guide 21 is an arm 93, operated by a means to be referred to for rotating the stem.

Arranged within the chamber 1 is a vertically movable outer or primary float element 94 consisting of a hollow closed annulus 95. Positioned within and encompassed by the element 94 in spaced relation is an inner or secondary float element 96 consisting of a hollow closed cylindrical body 91 fixedly secured to a vertically disposed guide rod 98 axially of and extending above and depending below body 91'. The lower end of rod 98 is slidably mounted in opening 9, sleeve 10 and socket 24.

Fixedly secured to the outer face of and bodily carried with float element 94 is a horizontally disposed hinge member 99 of yoke-shaped form having its sides I99 provided with aligned openings I91. The member 99 forms a part of a pressure exerting structure or means for valve 89, and such structure not only includes the member and a pair of aligning openings I25.

99, but .it also includes a spring controlled float actuated tiltable pressure applicator I02 ,comprising a channel-shaped part I03, a depending rearwardly inclined tapered abutment I04 at the inner end otthe bottom. and forwardly of the innerends of the sides of part I03. The latter has each of its sides formed with spaced horizontally aligned openings. I05 and I 06 and the outer endportion III! of each ofits sides of circular contour. The sides of endportions I01,

straddle the device 90 and the lower edge parts of said portions, Ill'Iseat on the portion 90 oidevice I[|.- The upper edge parts of the portions IIl'I bear against the bottom oi portion 90% of device .Qll. The rear ends of the sides of part I03 are preferably connected to the member 99 by a pin I08 extending through the aligning openings II]! in the sides Ilil) of member ta-and also through the openings I-dfi in the'sides of part I03. The abutment IIM has a vertical lower end portion Hill which bears against element 84. Extending through the aligned openings I of ;the sides of part I03 is a pivot pin IIII which has one end seated in a sccketed boss III secured on the in- .ner face of the wall I l, and its other end extending through a boss IIIa formed on the wall I5 (Figure 5). The wall I5 is provided with a peripherally threaded cutout .IIIb with which engages a peripherallythreaded retainer IIIc for pin III]. The retainer IIIc has a socket lIId for receiving the end terminal portion I Me of pin I I ll. The outerterminal portions of the sides of part III? are inset (Figure 3). Surrounding the pin I08 between the, sides of member 99 is a coiled controlling spring I I2 for the applicator Hi2. One end of spring II2 is extended as at III; and bears against the element 94. The other end I I I of spring I I2 is extended and mounted on pin IIII. The spring II lnormallytends to provide for the outer end portions -IIII of the sides of part Iii-3 to bear onthe flange or support to force valve head. fieagainst its seat 83. a

Fixed to and extending above the element 94 (Figure 9) is a bracket I13 having its upper end in the former an angularly. disposed loopII I The arm 93 of stem 88. is connected to the looped end II I of bracket I I3 by a yoke-shaped link I It to provide for rotatingstem 88 on the tilting of element 94. Arrangedlwithin the upper portion of the chamber I diametrically thereof, as well as extending into the chamber 8 is a sup port H6 (Figures 8 to-. 11) in .which is=slidably mounted a spring controlled articulated actuating mechanism II "I for a valve stem pounder or hammer element H8. The support H6 in- .cludes a horizontally disposed inverted channel shaped member III] formed at one end with a pair of oppositely extending apertured flanges IZil which abut against and are anchored against the inner face of part 2 of housing I. .Thetop I2I of member I I9 is cut out intermediate its ends as. at I22. The sides-I23 of member III] are formed with aligning slots IZdlengthwise thereof One of the sides of the member H9 has integral with its bottom edge a depending L-shaped bracket I26 which is disposed in spaced relation with respect tothe slots I2 and openings I26. The member H9 at the other end thereof has formed integral with its top IZI, a horizontally disposed T--shaped extension I21 having its head provided with a pair of depending apertured flanges I28 which are secured against the inner faces of walls It, I5 of part 3 of housing I b-ythe holdfast devices I29. i

which aligns with the slots I The actuating'mechanism I I! for the pounder or hammer II8 consists of a pair of oppositely extending links Itl], I3I. ThelinkHI30 is of greater length than link I3I,is bifurcated at one end, as at I33, and its other end formed with a lug I34. The link I30 between its transverse median and its bifurcated end I33 is provided with a transverse opening I35. The link I3I at one end is bifurcated, as at I36, into'which extends the lug I34 of link I30.

The end I36 of link I3I is pivotally connected to the lugl34 by the pivot pin I39. The link ISI at its other end is provided with a transverse opening I2 4. Extending through the opening IM and slots I24, as well as being fixed to link ISI and extended from the sides I23 of member H9 is an anchoring pin I for a purpose to be referred to. Fixed in the openings I26 of the sides I23 of member H9 and extending through the opening I35 of link I30 link I38. The end I33 of link I30 is formed with aligned openings I l? for the passage of a combined pivot forming and anchoring pin I44 which extends laterally in opposite directions to the stem of the extension IZ'I. Connected at one end thereof to the anchoring pin MI, is a pair of controlling springs 55 for and which form elements of the actuating mechanism III. The other ends of the springs M5 are anchored to the pin I id. The mechanism II'I not only constitutes an actuator for the pounder I I8, but also a latching means for the latter. The element II 8 not only provides a pounder or hammer for valve stem 88, but also a setting means for mechanism III.

The pounder or hammer element H8 is in the .form of a flat bar I lIi arranged over the upper end of valve stem 88, extends through notch I1 and has its inner end extended into the bifurcated end I33 of link Hill and is loosely mounted it on the pin M l. A transverse opening I4! is provided at the" inner end of bar I l-6 for mounting it on the pin Md.

The bracket I26 on one of the sides I23 of member III? has its horizontal arm formed with an opening M8 for the passage of the guide rod or bar 9d of the float The rod 98 also functions as a trip for the mechanism III.

A. boileris indicated generally at M9 and it includes a tank I5!) and a jacket IEI. Supporting legs I52, only one shown, are provided for the boiler. Connected to the latter is a confined thermostatic structure I53 of known construction from which leads a controlling means, not

shown for and which is to be attached to the stem 5d of mechanism 233. It may be that the bracket 25 is required to be attached to the boiler I It at a point whereby opening II in bottom member I will be so positicnedrelative to the thermostatic structure I53 that the stem 54 will not be below the latter. To overcome this objection and to provide for housing 32 to be coupled to other points of the bottom member I to position the housing 32 to align with the controlling means for valve stem 54, the bot- 8 through the port 83 when the valve 89 is 01? ofits seat .83. Theoil in the chamber I is kept 20' is a pin I 42 which constitutes a pivot for said at a constantlevelby the float 94 acting on applicator I02 to normally force valve 89 down on its-seat 83 against the action of the incoming -oil. The float '94 is hinged to the applicator I02 as stated aforesaid. The float 94 opposes the depending abutment I04 of the applicator I02 whereby the abutment I04 is pressed against float I04 by the spring H2. The float 96 and its guide rod 98, as well as mechanism H1 is in normal position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. If foreign matter becomes lodged on the valve 89 or on the seat 83 of the latter, on the rise of the float 94 it tips up and compresses spring H2 and on a compression of the spring II2 the force on the valve 89 increases and which is on valve 89 due to the arrangement of the applicator I 02 relative to the supporting means 90 carried by stem'88. The purpose of the spring H2 is, along with the pivot IOI, to provide a resilient lost motion connection between the float 94 and valve 89 so that upon relative movement therebetween, the bracket 3 link H5 and arm 93 will rotate the valve 89 slightly. The rotative motion of stem 89 will overcome substantially 95% of the unnecessary tripping in regular or conventional valves. Ii the increased pressure on valve '89 and the rotative motion of stem 88 fail to seat the valve89, the rising of the oil elevates float 90 carrying its guide rod 98 therewith until the latter engages mechanism I'II whereby the latter will assume the position shown in Figures 8 and 9. Prior to the actuation of the mechanism IT! by the guide rod, the links are aligned horizontally thereby placing springs I45 under tension. When the inner connected ends of the links are raised or positioned oii center, the springs I45will be released causing the links to assume the position shown in Figures 8 and 9, lowering the inner end of pounder H8 and actuating the latter in a manner to impart a blow 'onstem 88 which results in the lowering of valve 89 to a positive cut-off position. After excess oil has been consumed, the valve 89 may be reset by pressing downwardly on the extended end of pounder II8 without dumping out the oil. A manual shut-ofl may be had relative to valve 89 by raising the extended portion of the pounder H8. The valve seat'83 on element TI is positioned above the bottom of the chamber 8 so that incoming particles carried by the oil may either 'float away or settle to the bottom of the chambers and reduce the fouling of the valve seat 83 to a minimum.

What I claim is:

1. In a safety control and oil leveling valve structure, a housing providing a float chamber and an intake valve chamber opening into the float chamber, a vertically disposed tubular oil intake element in said intake chamber formed with an intake valve seat and a discharge port, a tiltable float operating in the float chamber, an Intake valve coacting with said seat for shutting ofl' the intake of oil through said port, a guide for and disposed at the upper portion of said valve, a horizontally disposed link loosely connected at one end to and eccentrically of said valve adjacent said guide and, loosely connected at its other end with the upper portion of the float, and a float actuated pressure exerting structure urging said valve to seat at normal oil level, bearing against the float and including correlated parts forming a resilient lost motion connection between the float and valve to permit of the tilting of the float, on the rise of the oil above said normal level whereby on the'tilting of the float said link will act to rotate'the valve on its seat to wipe the latter.

2. In a safety control and oil leveling 'valve structure, a housing providing a float chamber and an intake valve chamber opening into the float chamber, a vertically disposed tubular oil intake element in said intake chamber formed with an intake valve seat and a discharge port, a

tiltable float operating in the float chamber, an intake valve coacting with said seat for shutting off the intake of oil through said port, a guide for and disposed at the upper portion of said valve, a horizontally disposed link loosely connected at one end to and eccentrically of said valve adjacent said guide and loosely connected at its other end with the upper portion of the float, a float actuated pressure exerting structure urging said valve toseat at normal oil level, bearing against the float and including correlated parts forming a resilient lost motion connection -20 between the float and valve to permit of the tilting of the float, on the rise of the oil above said normal level whereby on the tilting of the float said link will act to rotate the valve on its seat to wipe the latter, said valve being formed with a stem, and said pressure exerting structure including means for adjustably connecting it to and lengthwise of said stem.

3. In a valve structure for the purpose set forth, a housing providing a float chamber and an intake chamber opening into the float chamber, said intake chamber being provided with an intake valve seat, a tiltable float operating in the float chamber, an intake valve coacting with said seat for shutting off the intake of oil, a guide for and disposed at the upper portion of said valve, a horizontally disposed link loosely connected at one end to and eccentrically of said valve adjacent said guide and loosely connected at its other end with the upper portion of the float,

and a float actuated pressure exerting structure urging said valve to its seat at normal oil level, bearing against said float and including correlated parts forming a resilient lost motion connection between the float and valve to permit of the tilting of the float on the rise of the oil above said normal level whereby on the tilting of the float, said link will act to rotate the valve on its seat to wipe the latter.

4. In a valve structure for the purpose set forth, a housing providing a float chamber and an intake chamber opening into the float chamber, said intake chamber being provided with an intake valve seat, a tiltable float operating in the float chamber, an intake valve coacting with said seat for shutting off the intake of oil, a guide for and disposed at the upper portion of said valve, a horizontally disposed link loosely connected at one end to and eccentrically of said valve adjacent said guide and loosely connected at its other end with the upper portion of the float, a float actuated pressure exerting structure urging said valve to its seat at normal oil level, bearing against said float and including correlated parts forming a resilient lost motion connection between the float and valve to permit of the tilting of the float on the rise of the oil above said normal level whereby on the tilting of the float said link will act to rotate the valve on its seat to wipe the latter, said valve being formed with a stem, said pressure exerting structure including means for adjustably connecting it to and lengthwise of the stem, and said link being connected to the stem above the point of connection between said means and stem.

5. In a valve structure for the purpose set forth, a housing providing a float chamber and an oil intake chamber opening into the float chamber, said intake chamber being provided with an intake valve seat, an intake valve for correlation with said seat to close intake of oil to the intake chamber and formed with a vertical stem, a guide in the intake chamber for said stem, a normally inactive hammer for coaction with the stem to pound the valve on said seat, said hammer arranged in the upper portion of said chambers and disposed over the stem, a float in said float chamber, a vertical guide rod for, bodily moving with, depending below and extending above the float, and a normally latched articulated spring controlled actuating mechanism for said hammer including a pair of tandemwise arranged sections interengaging and pivotally connected together at their opposed ends, one of the said sections being of greater length than the other, pivotally connected at its other end to one end of the hammer and pivotally supported intermediate its ends in the upper portion of the float chamber, the said other of said sections being slidably supported at the other end thereof in the upper section of the float chamber and disposed over and in the path of said rod whereby the latter, upon abnormal rise of oil level will release said mechanism to make the hammer active, the spring-controlling means for said mechanism being connected to the said other ends of said sections.

GEORGE W. WHITEHURST. 

